Juergen Klopp refuses to blame keeper Karius as Liverpool blow lead yet again

Juergen Klopp had to publicly defend his goalkeeper Loris Karius for costly blunders for the second game in a row after Liverpool fail to win.

Juergen Klopp conceded that Liverpool were below their best and should have won a game where they enjoyed 59 touches in the opposition box against West Ham’s five at the other end.(REUTERS)

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp refused to criticise Loris Karius for failing to keep out West Ham United’s opening goal by Dimitri Payet as the home team were held to a 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday.

One week after Karius gifted Bournemouth their winner in a 4-3 victory on the south coast, the German keeper palmed the ball weakly into the net despite getting across goal to meet Payet’s 27th-minute free kick.

Asked if his fellow countryman was standing too far to the left, Klopp replied “no idea” in his post-match television interview, saying he had only seen the goal live and would need to watch it again before giving a considered view.

“For the first goal, don’t make the foul, don’t lose the ball,” Klopp added.

“The second goal (by Michail Antonio) was unlucky. (Defender) Joel Matip made a fantastic game and in this moment he couldn’t clear the ball. Loris Karius was surprised and it was too late.”